New People

The best way to meet your neighbors is to throw a party - at least that's what Robin Hanson thinks. Robin and Larry Hanson are the hosts of the annual Squire Lane block party, a party designed specifically to get neighbors out of their houses to meet each other. The 2008 Squire Lane block party was Sunday. Half of Squire Lane was blocked with barricades, kids rode bikes in the street, adults ate and chatted and one man entertained the crowd with magic tricks. The annual event started in 2000 and has been a hit with neighbors, Robin said.

About 8,500 people attended the Aberdeen Musicfest, said Abby Kroupa of the Aberdeen Downtown Association. That total included just fewer than 5,000 people on Friday night, Kroupa said. It's believed that the attendance was greater than last year, Kroupa said. The Downtown Association was pleased with the number of single-day tickets, which indicates the festival brought in new people, she said.

Age: 14. Where do you live?: Columbia. Number of years in 4-H: Six. Name of 4-H club: Friendly Fellows and Daisies. 4-H categories entered: Swine, beef, visual arts. Best lesson learned from being in 4-H: Being responsible and taking care of the animals. Favorite thing about being in 4-H: Meeting new people.

The best way to meet your neighbors is to throw a party, that's what Robin Hanson thinks. Robin and Larry Hanson are the hosts of the annual Squire Lane block party, a party designed specifically to get neighbors out of their houses to meet each other. The 2009 Squire Lane block party was Sunday. The annual event started in 2000 and has been a hit with the neighbors, they said. "It's important too because new people are always moving in (to the neighborhood)," said Randy Kantack, co-organizer of the block party.

Mary Jo Maxwell will never forget the day Dorothy Getsman showed up in her driveway to welcome her to Aberdeen. "My husband called to me and said, 'There's a lady in our driveway with a can of corn and a packet,' ” Maxwell said with a laugh. "That was Dorothy, she was the welcome wagon for Aberdeen. " Before Getsman died Sunday at age 96 at Golden Living Center in Ipswich, she was known as the person who welcomed all newcomers to Aberdeen with a gift packet filled with coupons to local business and a can of corn, which became her signature.

Anna Frederiksen, a native of Virum, Denmark, is now attending Webster High School. Her host parents are Michael and Julie Carlson of Webster. Frederiksen, 16, will return to Denmark at the end of June. What has been your biggest surprise about life in the U.S.?: The differences in the culture and especially the people, for example, how open people are. How do you compare the education you receive in your home country to your school here?: It's hard to compare because the Danish school system is totally different.

Pranks and mayhem ensue in Young People's Theatre's production of “Edgar and Ellen: Bad Seeds!” which will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Capitol Theatre, 415 S. Main St. The cast for this production features 40 young people between the ages of 7 and 17. The cast includes a mix of new and veteran YPT participants. “I always enjoy working with kids, regardless of their experience,” YPT director Brian T. Schultz said in a news release. “I love seeing veterans welcome the newbies and take them under their wings to make sure everyone has a great experience.” Newcomer Madison Ivy, who plays Ellen, said she appreciates the opportunity to use her own ideas on stage.

Making friends for Aberdeen Dorothy Getsman gives newcomers a welcome --- and a can of corn. Why, newcomers to Aberdeen sometimes ask themselves, is there a can of corn on my desk? To those who have been around, the answer is obvious: Dorothy Getsman was here. It's not even a surprise to see a can of corn at the new guy's desk. It's an Aberdeen tradition. Getsman has been acknowledging the arrival of newcomers to Aberdeen for five decades. In addition to a smile and goodwill, she presents each new arrival with a "newcomer packet," which is filled with coupons and gifts from local businesses.

Through the past 10 years, I've focused on learning about agriculture and all of its facets for my job. As editor of the Farm Forum, the publication has grown from 80 pages to its all time high last year of 196 pages. The ad listing the job opening for the Farm Forum Editor appeared in the American News and online this week. For the past six months, I've considered working part-time. I want to devote more time to writing stories about agriculture and turn over some of the day-to-day duties to other staff members.

Bruce and Marilyn Wells haven't lived in South Dakota since 1969, when they moved to Saginaw, Mich. The couple, though, will be surrounded by people from their home state when they attend the 61st annual South Dakota Picnic today (Feb. 24) in Lakeland, Fla. Bruce, a Webster native, and his wife, who grew up in Aberdeen as Marilyn Burke, spend about three months every winter in Dade City, Fla. Today will be the first time the couple has attended the South Dakota Picnic, which makes organizer June Clark happy.

Through the past 10 years, I've focused on learning about agriculture and all of its facets for my job. As editor of the Farm Forum, the publication has grown from 80 pages to its all time high last year of 196 pages. The ad listing the job opening for the Farm Forum Editor appeared in the American News and online this week. For the past six months, I've considered working part-time. I want to devote more time to writing stories about agriculture and turn over some of the day-to-day duties to other staff members.

Pranks and mayhem ensue in Young People's Theatre's production of “Edgar and Ellen: Bad Seeds!” which will be presented at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at Capitol Theatre, 415 S. Main St. The cast for this production features 40 young people between the ages of 7 and 17. The cast includes a mix of new and veteran YPT participants. “I always enjoy working with kids, regardless of their experience,” YPT director Brian T. Schultz said in a news release. “I love seeing veterans welcome the newbies and take them under their wings to make sure everyone has a great experience.” Newcomer Madison Ivy, who plays Ellen, said she appreciates the opportunity to use her own ideas on stage.

Mary Jo Maxwell will never forget the day Dorothy Getsman showed up in her driveway to welcome her to Aberdeen. "My husband called to me and said, 'There's a lady in our driveway with a can of corn and a packet,' ” Maxwell said with a laugh. "That was Dorothy, she was the welcome wagon for Aberdeen. " Before Getsman died Sunday at age 96 at Golden Living Center in Ipswich, she was known as the person who welcomed all newcomers to Aberdeen with a gift packet filled with coupons to local business and a can of corn, which became her signature.

REDFIELD -- Let's wander around the Redfield High School Auditorium and meet some of the community folks who take part in the Redfield Area Arts Council's annual play. Barb Paulson, a junior high teacher, plays the Wicked Witch of the West in this year's show, “The Wizard of Oz.” “She's evil and nasty and awful, and a very fun part to play,” Paulson said. Even though “The Wizard of Oz” is a musical, Paulson doesn't sing in the show. “I just have to laugh wickedly and cast spells,” she said.

Bruce and Marilyn Wells haven't lived in South Dakota since 1969, when they moved to Saginaw, Mich. The couple, though, will be surrounded by people from their home state when they attend the 61st annual South Dakota Picnic today (Feb. 24) in Lakeland, Fla. Bruce, a Webster native, and his wife, who grew up in Aberdeen as Marilyn Burke, spend about three months every winter in Dade City, Fla. Today will be the first time the couple has attended the South Dakota Picnic, which makes organizer June Clark happy.

Age: 14. Where do you live?: Columbia. Number of years in 4-H: Six. Name of 4-H club: Friendly Fellows and Daisies. 4-H categories entered: Swine, beef, visual arts. Best lesson learned from being in 4-H: Being responsible and taking care of the animals. Favorite thing about being in 4-H: Meeting new people.

About 8,500 people attended the Aberdeen Musicfest, said Abby Kroupa of the Aberdeen Downtown Association. That total included just fewer than 5,000 people on Friday night, Kroupa said. It's believed that the attendance was greater than last year, Kroupa said. The Downtown Association was pleased with the number of single-day tickets, which indicates the festival brought in new people, she said.

The best way to meet your neighbors is to throw a party - at least that's what Robin Hanson thinks. Robin and Larry Hanson are the hosts of the annual Squire Lane block party, a party designed specifically to get neighbors out of their houses to meet each other. The 2008 Squire Lane block party was Sunday. Half of Squire Lane was blocked with barricades, kids rode bikes in the street, adults ate and chatted and one man entertained the crowd with magic tricks. The annual event started in 2000 and has been a hit with neighbors, Robin said.

The best way to meet your neighbors is to throw a party, that's what Robin Hanson thinks. Robin and Larry Hanson are the hosts of the annual Squire Lane block party, a party designed specifically to get neighbors out of their houses to meet each other. The 2009 Squire Lane block party was Sunday. The annual event started in 2000 and has been a hit with the neighbors, they said. "It's important too because new people are always moving in (to the neighborhood)," said Randy Kantack, co-organizer of the block party.

Anna Frederiksen, a native of Virum, Denmark, is now attending Webster High School. Her host parents are Michael and Julie Carlson of Webster. Frederiksen, 16, will return to Denmark at the end of June. What has been your biggest surprise about life in the U.S.?: The differences in the culture and especially the people, for example, how open people are. How do you compare the education you receive in your home country to your school here?: It's hard to compare because the Danish school system is totally different.